ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT

This is an agreement between (Name of applicant/s)and

(Name of adoptionagency)

We want to make sure that you are able to explore what adoption will mean for you and your family at a pace which is right for you. This Plan will help us to work with you and give you information about the work that we will be doing and the things we will ask you to do so we can reach a preliminary view on your suitability to adopt. At the end of Stage One, you will be able to make an informed choice about whether you wish to make a formal application to adopt and we will have the necessary information to decide whether to accept your application.

Checks

  • We will undertake checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) andlocal authorities where you have lived,we will contact your personal references and obtain a view from the agency medical adviser on your completed medicals. We may also ask you for information to take up additional checks where needed,e.g. to contact significant previous partners or any adult children.
  • We will ask you to provide us with all the information we need to undertake these checks, including attending your GP for a medical examination.If there is a delay in you being able to provide this information, this may lead to a delay in us being able to reach a decision about whether to proceed to Stage Two.
  • We will keep you informed of any delays we experience in obtaining the information we need to complete the required checks.

Preparation/training

  • Wehave identified the followingpreparation/training/self-evaluation work/reading for you to complete during Stage One. All the relevant materials which will be providedfor you or signpostedto by the agency and dates of proposed training are set out below.
  • We think it is important that you complete all the identified preparation and training at a pace which feels right for you. If youdecide you wish to take longer than the two months set out for Stage One, this can be discussed and agreed with your social worker.
  • We will meet with you at least once during Stage One to discuss your progress and offer you additional support where required.

Working in partnership

  • It is important during this stage of the adoption process thatthere is a commitment to an honest and openexchange between you and the social workersyou will meet. This is an essential part of our working relationship with you. We would ask that you share full information with us and do not withhold any information about things that may influence your capacity to care for a child. If you are unsure about the impact of sharing any information then please discuss this with us.
  • We will discuss any issues or concerns that may emerge during Stage Onewith you so there is an opportunity to resolve them wherever possible. If there is information that is provided from references or statutory checks,we will share as full information as possible but any third party informationwill have to take account of data protection principles.
  • If you decide to take a break from the adoption process during Stage One,we will discuss this with you so an agreement can be reached about how your interest will be progressed at a future point. If you decide to take a break of longer than six months,youmayneed to start Stage One again from the beginning.
  • Once all the required information has been received and you have completed the work agreed, we will be able to give youour decision on whether you may be suitable to adopt and are able to proceed to a full assessment.
  • Where we decide not to proceed to a full assessment, we will provide you with a written explanation of the reasons why and give you information about our complaints process.
  • You canthen take up to six months break before beginning Stage Two – we will ask you to discuss this with usso we can plan to identify an assessing social worker at the right time for you.

Any other points to be covered

SIGNATURES

Signature of firstapplicant / Date
Print name
Signature of second applicant / Date
Print name
Signature of social worker
Signature / Date
Print name
Signature of team manager on behalf of the agency
Signature / Date
Print name

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© CoramBAAF January 2016